OFFICIAL: Senegal WINS The U-17 AFCON After A 2-1 Victory Against Morocco.

Senegal defeats Morocco 2-1 in the final of the U17 in the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) on Friday night to lift the trophy for the first-time ever.

Both teams had defeated Burkina Faso and Mali via penalty shootouts respectively in the semi-final last Sunday, and were set to play their first-ever final.

Senegal come from behind to score twice in four minutes to beat Morocco 2-1 at the Nelson Mandela Stadium in Algiers, Algeria.

Atlas Cubs went ahead first, through young defender and team captain Abdelhamid Ait Boudlal’s first half header to put the North Africans in front just after 14 minutes into the encounter.

The Moroccans enjoyed most of the possession in the first-half and seemed to be headed for glory until the last ten minutes into the second half.

In the return, both sides continued to battle for possession, but clear-cut chances at goal diminishing.

Senegal finally responded after labouring hard for an equaliser as they were awarded a penalty by VAR when Moroccan goalscorer Ait Boudlal was adjudged to have handled the ball inside the box.

Serigne Falou Diouf stepped up and successfully converted in the 80th minute to turn the tide in favor of the Teranga clubs.

The goal inspired the Senegalese team, and punctured the entire Moroccan side, that even senior national team coach Walid Regragui who had flown in for the final was dismayed, standing in anguish at his sitting spot in the VIP box.

As if that was not enough, substitute Mamadou Sawane snatched the victory for the West African side with seven minutes remaining after rising high above the entire defence to head the winner.

Senegal managed to see off the remaining minutes, including six minutes of added time, to win the title for the first time in history.

The victory for Senegal means that they have completely dominated African football over the past 15 months, having now won a third consecutive continental title within four months.

Their senior national team won the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations, their team of local-based players won the Africa Nations Championship (CHAN) title in February at the same venue of their conquest on Friday.

They also won the U-20 AFCON title in Egypt in March 2023, and the Beach Soccer Championship within a year.

Senegal and runners up Morocco as well as third-place Burkina Faso and fourth place Mali will represent Africa at the U-17 FIFA World Cup later this year.